The two Japanese giants have formed a corporate venture fund to invest in Japanese startups related to Panasonic’s lifestyle updates business.

Panasonic Corporation (TYO: 6752) and SBI Investment Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of SBI Holdings, Inc. (TYO: 8473), announced today their joint establishment of a corporate venture capital fund titled Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund. The fund will invest primarily in promising startups in Japan and overseas that are particularly active in the field of Panasonic’s lifestyle updates business. (MarketScreener)

Panasonic is looking to supplement its decades-long technological expertise with innovative new technologies developed by the startups to be backed by the new VC fund.

Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund

This VC fund will invest a total of JPY 8 billion over the coming decade in promising startups in Japan and overseas that are focused on improving the quality of life of consumers by innovating in the sectors of Well-being, decarbonization and energy, food infrastructure, spatial infrastructure, and lifestyle.

SBI Investment manages a corporate venture capital fund that has a cumulative capital commitment of more than JPY 110 billion as of July 2022, which is one of the largest in Japan. It is known as a “new industry creator,” and invests in next-generation growth areas such as AI, blockchain, Fintech, IT, biotechnology & healthcare, and environment & energy.

“By taking advantage of the extensive network and expertise of SBI Investment, which has discovered and developed the technologies and businesses of promising startups, Panasonic will strive to be even more responsive and resilient to changes in the external environment and customer value,” Panasonic said in a statement.

“With the Fund, Panasonic will strive to help startups achieve their visions, and at the same time, create the future that Panasonic envisions,” it added.

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